Marineford.
Luo Ye, who had just returned, was immediately blocked by a lazy-looking man.
"Ohhh~ Luo Ye, your strength is getting scarier and scarier, eh?"
Standing in front of Luo Ye with his signature slow and drawling voice was none other than the Marine Admiral Kizaru—Borsalino.
At this moment, Kizaru, hands in pockets, had no intention of making way. Instead, he looked at Luo Ye with a teasing expression and said in a tone full of complaint, "It's all your fault, eh~ I was just about to finish my mission and apply for a nice little vacation from the old man Sengoku… but then I heard you went and killed Jack the Drought of the Beasts Pirates as soon as you got back."
Kizaru's exaggerated disappointment was written clearly across his face.
Originally, after months of chasing pirates and maintaining order in the New World, Kizaru planned to take advantage of the downtime at Marineford to finally relax—maybe even visit Sabaody Archipelago for some easy work.
However, just after arriving at headquarters, he was summoned to the Fleet Admiral's office, where Sengoku coldly informed him that Luo Ye had killed Jack, one of the three All-Stars of Kaido's Beasts Pirates—the man known for his brutal rampages across Zou and other territories.
When Kizaru heard that news, he was dumbfounded.
He always knew Luo Ye was "restless," but he hadn't expected him to eliminate someone directly under one of the Four Emperors.
Kizaru let out a long sigh, slouching even more.
"It seems like the vacation plan has been ruined again~"
He shook his head helplessly.
Luo Ye glanced sideways at him and said casually, "How exactly does Fleet Admiral Sengoku put up with your lazy attitude every day?"
Hearing this, Kizaru raised his eyebrows, his slanted sunglasses reflecting the light.
"Ehh? You have the nerve to say that?"
Kizaru stared at Luo Ye.
He, Borsalino, was famous for being laid-back and slow, true—but Luo Ye?
Over the years, Luo Ye had caused uproars again and again, ignoring direct orders, acting on his own whims.
He had heard recently that Luo Ye had taken down Crocodile, the former Warlord who had once attempted to overthrow Alabasta, and Donquixote Doflamingo, the ruler of Dressrosa and an underground broker known as "Joker."
The World Government had been furious, and even Sengoku had a headache dealing with the fallout.
If it weren't for Sengoku personally shielding Luo Ye from the Gorosei's anger, there was no way Luo Ye would be standing here so casually.
Thinking of this, Kizaru gave him an unreadable look.
He didn't understand how Luo Ye had persuaded Sengoku to allow such an operation against Doflamingo, who was a Celestial Dragon by blood.
Mobilizing the Marines from the G-3 branch was not something that could be done easily—even with his good relationship with Vice Admiral Momousagi (Tsuru's disciple).
"What about Sakazuki and Kuzan?" Luo Ye asked lightly, changing the subject.
Hearing this, Kizaru chuckled wretchedly, "They're both in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office~ arguing again about the Shichibukai system."
Luo Ye and Kizaru exchanged a glance—and both burst out laughing.
Akainu (Sakazuki) and Aokiji (Kuzan) often clashed over matters of justice.
Akainu, the embodiment of "Absolute Justice," believed all pirates should be eradicated without exception, regardless of their individual crimes.
In contrast, Aokiji followed "Lazy Justice," believing that not all pirates deserved death if they were not committing atrocities.
This philosophical divide made them argue often—and today was apparently no different.
Luo Ye's stance lay somewhere in between.
After all, in the world of pirates, especially in the New World, it was rare to find someone who hoisted a Jolly Roger without having blood on their hands.
Thus, Luo Ye never showed mercy. Pirates like Crocodile, Doflamingo, and even Jack the Drought deserved no pity.
Because of this, both Akainu and Aokiji tried to recruit him to their ideological sides—but Luo Ye always remained neutral, treating their quarrels as a source of amusement.
Turning back to his own matters, Luo Ye glanced at Ace and Sabo, who were standing behind him, and said with a slight smirk:
"Don't slack off in your training these days. When I head for Wano Country, if I don't see noticeable improvement in your strength, you both know exactly what consequences await."
The two brothers immediately straightened up, nodding stiffly, expressions full of bitterness.
Luo Ye had always been a tough mentor.
He only cared about results, not excuses.
If they failed to meet expectations, no matter what reasons they gave, the only outcome would be a thorough beating.
Kizaru, hearing this, looked a bit surprised, scratching his head lazily.
"So these two are really Garp's grandsons, eh~? I heard recently they've been challenging Vice Admirals around the base non-stop."
Indeed, rumors had spread through Marineford about two teenage monsters rampaging through the Marine training grounds—sparring fearlessly against Vice Admirals and even some seasoned officers.
Though Kizaru had heard of them, he hadn't met them in person until today.
Luo Ye suddenly seemed to remember something and looked at Kizaru with a glint of mischief in his eye.
"Borsalino, why don't you personally guide them a little?"
Hearing this suggestion, both Ace and Sabo immediately perked up, eyes shining with excitement.
After all, although they respected Luo Ye, he had been beating them senseless for years. Facing someone else—an actual Admiral like Kizaru—seemed like a fresh challenge.
They wanted a shot at glory.
But Kizaru, noticing the eager stares of the two brothers and the dangerous smirk on Luo Ye's face, immediately waved his hands dismissively.
"Ohhh no no no~, pick someone else. I don't want to end up like Kuzan back in the day."
He remembered when Kuzan once agreed to spar with Luo Ye when he was still a Rear Admiral—and got humiliated miserably.
Seeing Kizaru decline, Ace and Sabo could only click their tongues in disappointment and leave to resume their training.
Luo Ye didn't mind; it had only been a passing thought anyway.
Stretching lazily, Luo Ye said, "Let's go see if Sakazuki and Kuzan are still yelling at each other."
He and Kizaru exchanged a knowing grin.
As the sun shone over Marineford, another day of chaotic "justice" was unfolding.